Issue #18

Wishing You a Happy Summer! + Summer Care Tips for Your Tradescantias

Happy Summer!

I hope you're all enjoying the beautiful summer weather! I know it's a busy time for all plant lovers with all the extra care that the summer months require, but I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a happy summer.

I'm counting down the days to my vacation—just one week to go! I'm really looking forward to having more time to spend with my family and plants.

My Tradescantias are growing like crazy now, but I had some issues earlier in the spring when they weren't doing so well. It turned out I had forgotten to fertilize them! With that in mind, I wanted to share some summer care tips for your Tradescantias to help keep them thriving during these warmer months.

Summer Care Tips for Your Tradescantia:

Check Your Watering Schedule: As the temperature rises, your Tradescantias might need more frequent watering. Keep an eye on the soil and let it dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering.

Fertilize: During the growing season, it's important to feed your Tradescantias with a good quality fertilizer for indoor plants every 4-6 weeks. I like to use half the recommended strength to avoid over-fertilizing—just don't forget about it like I did! 😅 Signs of nutrient deficiencies include slow or no growth, small misshapen leaves, and yellowing leaves.

Bright, Indirect Light: Tradescantias love bright, indirect light. If they're outside, make sure they get plenty of light but are protected from the harsh midday sun to avoid sunburn.

Pruning: Regularly trim your Tradescantias to promote bushier growth and remove any leggy or unhealthy parts. Summer is a great time to chop and prop, as growth typically picks up. Trim your plant, plant the stems back into the pot, and watch your tiny plant turn into a bushy, gorgeous one!

Pest Control: Keep an eye out for common pests like thrips, aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. It's easier for pests to hitch a ride indoors during summer. Regularly inspecting your plants and treating any infestations early can prevent major problems down the line. I follow a rule that plants I bring outdoors never come back inside. If you decide to bring plants back in, make sure to quarantine them and have a plan to treat potential infestations.

Recommended Articles

As plant lovers, we’re always looking for new and interesting ways to care for our Tradescantias. I recently came across two fantastic articles from TradescantiaHub that I highly recommend. These articles provide great insights into growing Tradescantias both indoors and outdoors.

I found these articles very interesting because I’ve switched many of my Tradescantias to sphagnum moss, which I find works better for some varieties. It’s always great to learn from others and see how different methods can improve plant care.

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Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram. If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future newsletters.

Stay tuned and happy planting!

Katja